PrepZone trends: Jensen Beach boys basketball off to strong start

The Jensen Beach boys basketball team has confidence it can make it far in the playoffs and earn recognition for the team.
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Jensen Beach's Emanuel Rogers goes up for the shot and is fouled by Treasure Coast's Nemuel Robinson during the fourth period of the high school boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, at Jensen Beach High School.(Photo: XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM)Buy Photo

Rogers is a space eater with his wide, powerful frame, but he's also one of three players averaging three or more assists per game.

"He's probably our best passer," Anderson said.

Anderson keeps detailed efficiency charts on every player, and is pleased most by his team's work on defense.

"The defensive effort has been the key to everything," Anderson said. "Then it's playing as a unit and being able to communicate on the floor. You don't have anyone on an island. They're all moving as one."

That makes sense. Gonzales, Denaud, Rogers, Hampton and backup guard Carson Funk have played on the same travel team for the past three years.

Last season's turnaround began after three freshman guards, including Gonzalez and Denaud, were brought up from a one-loss junior varsity team and Rogers became eligible.

The Falcons took off and won 13 of their final 19 games, capped by their first district title since 2014.

Now, they are one of only four teams in the program's 15-year history to start 3-0 or better.

"We've been able to turn the corner with our program," Galinis said. "Everyone is playing together as one."

Expectations are soaring, and it shows in a more-demanding schedule. The Falcons will play in the Ocoee Great 8 tournament after Christmas and the Rock Holiday Classic in Fort Lauderdale in early January.

Besides preseason and regular-season games against Treasure Coast, the Falcons also have games set against two other Class 9A opponents in Fort Pierce Central and Vero Beach.

"I wanted to prepare for the Boyd Andersons of the world," Anderson said, referring to the team that defeated Jensen Beach 51-38 in a Region 4-7A quarterfinal last season. "All of that is with in mind of getting past the first round of regionals."

Jensen Beach has won six of the previous seven tournaments. Wellington won in 2014.

Worth noting

Madeline Rhodes scored four goals in the Vero Beach girls soccer team's 7-0 win Nov. 27 against Treasure Coast, her seventh game in the past two seasons with four or more goals.

Roger Allcroft, who coached Port St. Lucie's wrestling team from 1999 to 2002 before going to law school, is the new coach at Treasure Coast. The Titans defeated Martin County 72-9 in their dual-meet opener Wednesday.

Martin County's girls soccer team has outscored opponents 33-2 during a 6-0 start. Lizzy Spears has a team-high 16 goals and three assists.